Manometer



Feb. 14, R928 F. S. DICKINSON ET AL MANOMETER Filed March 2, 1925WITNESS TTOH/VEYS Feb. 14, 1928.

. A TTOR/VEYS Feb. 14, 1928.

F. s. DICKINSN ET AL.

MANOMETER Filed March 2, 1925 4 Sheets-5h96?. 4

INVENTORS F14/HL E/Gf/ 5. /c/f//v50/v A TTOR/VEYS Patented Feb..A 14,i923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.FAIRLEIGH S. DICKINSON AND ANDREW W. FLEISCHER, OF RUTHERFORD, NEW JER-SEY, ASSIGNORS T BECTON, DICKINSON & CO., OF EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JER-SEY, A CORPORATION OFNEW JERSEY.

MANOMETER.

Application led March 2, 1925.

The invention relates to manometers of its locking position by means ofspring 27 that type commonly known as sphygmomanometers, which areutilized for ascertaining blood pressure and more particularly relatesto that class of such instruments in which a iuid column is theindicating element; the invention has for its object to provide amanometer of simple construction and etticient operation in whichdifficulties and 0bjections inherent in existing instruments of theclass in question are obviated. Other more specific objects will appearfrom the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will bepointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of theinvention without defining its limits, Fig. l is a perspective view ofthe instrument as it appears in condition to be transported about; Fig.2 is 3o a plan view; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the instrumenttaken lengthwise of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan View of the instrument inits operative condition; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 isa sectional view 25 on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the directionof the arrow; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on t-he line 7 7 of Fig.4; Fig. 8 is a detail section of the upper end of the fluid column tube;Fig. 9 is a detail fragmnientary section of the case; Fig. 10 is afragmentary section of the fluid reservoir and the adjacent. end of thefluid column tube; Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is adetail section on the line 12-12 35 of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a fragmentarysection illustrating the lock whereby the cover isv locked in positionand Fig. 14 is a detail section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13.

As shown in the illust-rated example, the

4U manometer comprises a casing consisting of a body 2() of suitablematerial and of generally rectangular shape and a cover consisting of amain cover section 21 hinged to the body at 22 and an auxiliary coversection 23 4;, hinged to the main section 21 at 24, the two coversections 21 and 23 together constituting a complete cover adapted to titupon and close the body as shown in Figs. l and 3.

A suitable lock may be provided for locking 50 the cover in its closedposition, said lock in the illustrated example comprising a laterallymovable button 25 and a pivoted tongue 26 located upon the body 20, the

tongue being maintained in and returned to and being arranged to engagea catch 28 carried by the cover section 23. ln the preferredarrangement, means are provided. whereby the auxiliary cover section 23is automatically thrown to a partly open position as indicated,forinstance, by the dotted lines a in Fig. 3, the moment the button 25is actuated to release the tongue 26 from the catch 28. lin theillustrated example, the means in question comprises plungers 29 carriedby rods 30 and controlled by springs 3l which exert a tension tending t0press the plungers to their outermost positions as shown in thedrawings; the plungers are mounted in the end of the cover section 21 ina. position t0 be engaged by and pressed inwardly against the tension ofthe springs 3l by the contiguous end of the cover section 23. 1n otherwords, the plungers are located at that point at which the coversections 21 and 23 are hinged together by the hinge 24, it beingunderstood that said plungers may be located upon the cover section 23for engagement with the cover section 21 if this should be preferred. Inthe illustrated example,` the hinge 24 is so located or in other words,the cover is so divided that the section 23, when folded back upon thesection 21 will have its free end almost. in contact with the surfaceupon which the instrument is restino in its operative position, as shownin Fig. l', the purpose of which will be more clearly pointed outhereinafter. At that end of the cover section 21 which is hinged to thebody 20,- a block 32 of suitable size and shape is secured to the insidethereof for instance by means of bracket plates 33 which preferably arecountersunk in the block 32 and are fastened in place upon the coversection 2l by means of screws or similar fastening devices 34. A scalemember 35 has its one end fixed to the block 32 and projects away fromthe same as shown in the drawings, said sca-le member being recessed andgrooved for the accommodation of a scale plate 36 having a scale 36a,suitable for the purpose for which the instrument is intended, producedthereon. The block 32 is hollowed out or recessed as indicated at 37 forthe accommodation of a iiuid reservoir 38 which may be constructed inthe form of al cylinder having its outer end closed and its inner endfrictionally litted over the reduced collar 39 of a cylindrical head 40as shown in Fig. 10; in its prefered form the fluid reservoir is made ofmetal or other suitable material which is not easily broken or injured,the reservoir being preferably provided with a lining of enamel or thelike. In the illustrated example, the head 40 is provided with anaperture `for the reception of the reduced neck 4l of a fitting 42located at the inner end of the scale member 35 which as shown in Fig.l0 is recessed for the accommodation of said fitting, the latter havingan aperture for the reception of the reduced neck 43 of a socket member44 recessed for the reception of one end of the fluid column tube 45; asshown in the drawings, the tube 45 extends lengthwise of the scale plate36 in close parallel relation thereto as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Wvhenthe arrangement set forth is used, the socket member 44 is furtherprovided with a channel 4G which communicates with a passage 47 formedin the fitting 42, the passage 47 in turn communicating with a channel48 located in the head 40 and leading to the interior of the fluidreservoir 38. The outer end of the tube 45 may be attached to the scalemember 35 by means of a clamping member 49 and is provided with anexternally screw threaded collar 50 fitted upon said outer end, whichmay be reduced for this purpose as shown in Fig. 8. A cap 51 is screwedupon the sleeve 50 and serves to clamp a cork Washer 52, a porous disk53 preferably made of kangaroo skin, sheepskin, or the like, and ascreen 54 against the sleeve 50, it being understood that the cap 51 isprovided with a central air outlet 51a as shown in Fig. 8. With thisarrangement, the outer end of the tube 45 is closed in a manner toprevent the escape of any of' the fluid which constitutes the column inthe tube 45 but to'permit the ready escape of air and to thereby preventthe formation of an air cushion in said tube as the column risestherein. In addition to preventing the fluid, which generally speakingis mercury, from` spilling out of the tube 45, the described closure forthe outer end thereof stabilizes the mercury column or its equivalentagainst undue oscillations; this is essential in order to obtain correctblood pressure readings,

particularly at the diastolic. An inlet nozzle 55 is mounted upon theblock 32 and is connected with the fluid reservoir 38 through the mediumof a passage 56 formed in the head 40; the inlet nozzle 55 serves topermit the admission of a pressure creating medium into the interior ofthe fluid reservoir 38. As shown in the drawings, the passage 56 of thehead 40 communicates with a tube 57 which may be screw threaded intosaid head 40 and at its free end is provided with a ci rcular flange 58and a disc 59 located in close proximity to each other and forming areduced exit passage 60 extending transversely to the axis of the tube57 and comprising a trap which permits the admission of air to the fluidreservoir 38 and prevents the escape of the fluid (l, such as mercurytherefrom. In the operative condition of the instrument, the inletnozzle 55 is connected with the customary bladderand with theconventional air bulb. Thus in the illustrated example, a rubber tube(53 hasits one end detachably connected with said nozzle 55 and at itsother end is provided with a tapering nozzle 64 adapted to be fittedinto the coupling 65 located at one end of a rubber tube 66 which leadsto the aforesaid bladder, the latter being contained in the well knownbandage 67 and being connected by means of a rubber tube 68 with theinfin-ting bladder 69 in the conventional manner. A controllin valve 7 0for relieving the pressure at will is com- S5 bined with the bulb 69 inthe customary manner.

As shown in Fig. 4, the body 20 of the casing may be provided inteiiorlywith a pair of parallel spaced ribs 7l extending lengthwise of thebottom ofthe body in a position to engage and form a rest for the scalemember 35 when the instrument is in its inoperative position and foldedinto the ease as shown in Figs. l and 3. In the space betwee-n the ribs7l, a resilient member 72 is located so as to provide a resilientcushion against which the tube 45 is adapted to rest when the instrumentis in its folded inoperative condition. With this construction, the In"scale plate 36 and the tube 45, both of which are generally made ofglass, are supported in a manner to reduce the danger of breakage fromshocks and jars to a minimum. To lock the parts in the upright positionshown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, a suitable brace 73 ma)l be included in theapparatus, said brace being pivotally connected at 7 4 with the coversection 2l and being provided with a. slot 75 adapted to ride over aheaded pin 7 (3 located lm in the body 20. The brace 73 is soconstructed thatvit wi'll automatically lock the cover section 2l in itsupright position, and to permit a restoration of the parts to theirnormal condition by exerting a pressure upon the cover section 21 towardits closed position.

In the normal condition of the parts, when the instrument is not in use,the cover sections 2l' and 23 are closed and locked upon the body sothat the scale member 35, scale plate 36, and tube 45 together withtheir associated parts, lie within the body 20 with the scale member 35extending lengthwise of and in engagement with the ribs 7l and the tube45 extending length- 125 wise of and in engagement with the cushion 7 2.Because of the fact that the cover comprises the section 21 and 23connected with each other by the hinge 24, it is possible to swing thecover section 23 back upon the W0 reaases cover section 21 to theposition indicated by the dotted lines Z2 in Fig. 3. The interior of thebody at its forward end portion may thus be rendered accessible eventhough the scale member 35 and its connected parts have been folded intothe body 20. As a result of this arrangement, the bandage 6T, rolledupon the customary bladder in the manner indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, maybe placed upon the back of the scale member 35 within the aforesaidforward portion of the body 20, the bulb 69 and the tubes 66 and 63,together with the tube 63, being folded into the said body 20; in otherwords the entire inflation system may be placed within the case when notin use, as indicated in Figs. 2 and After this has been done, the coversection 23 may be brought to its closed position and locked therein, sothat the instrument in its inoperative condition constitutes aself-contained apparatus, all parts of which are contained in the casingand completely enclosed by the body 20 and the cover 21 23 thereof.`When the cover occupies its closed position, the plungers 29 beingengaged by the inner end of the cover section 23 will be pressedinwardly against the tension of the springs 31 and held in theirinnermost positions.

lV hen it is desired to utilize the instrument for its intendedpurposes, the button 25 is actuated to release the tongue 26 from thecatch 28; as soon as the release has been brought about, the plungers 29by the ac.- tion of their springs 31 will immediately and automaticallythrow the cover section 23 to the partly open position indicated by thedotted lines a in Fig. 3. This leaves the said cover section in aposition to be readily handled with one hand by the physician or otheroperator, who is thus free to use his other hand for any other purposenecessary. The setting up of the instrument to its operative positionmay be completed with one hand by swinging the cover section 23 back tothe dotted line posit-ion I) in Fig. 3, in which said cover section isfolded back over and in surface engagement with the cover section 21.-The latter may now be swung on the hinge 22 to its upright positionshown in Fig. 5 and carries with it the cover section 23 and also theblock 32, scale member 35, scale plate 36, tube 45, and their associatedelements. so that in this position the scale member 35, scale 36, andtube 45, project upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the body 2O ofthe casing. The cover section 23 in the operative condition of theinstrument, as shown in Fig. 7, extends downwardly in surface engagementwith the cover section 21 and has its lower free end in close proximityto and almost in engagen'ient with the surface c upon which theinstrument is resting. The cover section 23 thus acts in the nature of aprop or brace, whereby any tendency of the instrument to tilt over in abackward direction will be efficiently resisted. To complete the settingup of the instrument for use, after the bandage has been applied in thecustomary manner, for inst-a11ce,to the arm of a person whose bloodpressure is to be tested, the nozzle 64 is connected with the coupling65 of the hose 66 and the instrument is ready for use; the bladderwithin" the bandage 6T may then be inflated by the action of the bulb 69in the customary way and other necessary operations performed in theusual manner. As this inflation of the bladder takes place, air willpass through the tube 63 and the inlet nozzle 55 and passage 56 into thetube 57 and will flow from the latter through the passage 60 between theflange 58 and the disc 59 into the interior of the fluid reservoir 3Sand there becomes effective upon the mercury or other fluid Z whichaccordingly rises in the tube 45 in the forni of a fluid column wherebythe indicating upon the scale 36 is accomplished. lt will be noted thatthe scale plate 36 is slidably mounted in the grooves of the scalemember with its inner end in positive engagement with a rigid fixedshoulder e forming part of said scale member 36 at the inner ends of itsgrooves as shown in Fig. 10. `With this iu'rangement, a blank scaleplate 36 may be placed in position in the grooves of the member 35 andbehind the tube with which it is intended to be used. The blank plate 36may then be marked in predetermined manner in accordance with variousknown positions assumed by the fluid or mercury column in the tube 45and then removed from the member After its removal, the aforesaid marksmay be used as guides in the production of the scale 36 0n the plate 36;because of the fact that the latter, at this stage is capable of beinghandled as an independent unit, the production of the scale 36 may beconveniently and very accurately carried out and is reduced to acomparatively simple operation. After the scale 36n has been completed.the plate 36 is replaced in the grooves of the member 35 with its` innerend again in engagement with the shoulder c; as the latter bears adefinite fixed relation to the tube 45, this simple operation accuratelyand positively positions the scale plate 36 correctly in the instrumentwithout the need for any adjustments of a'ny kind. With the describedarrangement, each scale plate may be easily graduated and etched topositively conform to the particular tube for which the scale isintended and with which it accurately cooperates. ln the preferred form,the scale plate 36 and the tube 45 are constructed to have the sameco-elficient of cX- pansion and contraction so that the accuracy of theinstrument is constant at all times.

By making the fluid reservoir and its associated elements of metal orother material not easily broken or damaged, the durability of theinstrument is increased and the necessity for extreme carein thehandling thereof is avoided.

The manometer is extremely simple in construction and is easilymanipulated to and from an operative position and in its operativeposition maintains the fluid `column tube with its associated scaleplate and scale member in an upright position in which the parts arepositively fixed against unintentional tilting without requiring theassistance of the operator to maintain them 1n such position. Themanometer is adapted for any use for which such an instrument isgenerally intended and obviates disadvantages and objections which up tothe present time have been inherent in existing apparatus of theindicated class.

Various changes in the specific form shown and described may be madewithin the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Some of the features not claimed herein but shown in detail in thedrawings and described in the specification in compliance with therequirement that the best mode in which the applicants have contemplatedapplying their invention be set forth, are the subject matter of aco-pending application, Serial No. 56,428, filed by Fairleigh S.Diekinson on September 15, 1925.

`Wc claim:

1. A manometer of the kind described comprising a casing having a body,a main cover section hinged to said body and movable to an uprightposition relatively thereto, manometer instrumentalities mounted uponsaid main cover section and movable therewith to an upright position andan auxiliary cover section hinged to said main cover section and formingtherewith the complete cover for the casing body, said auxiliary coversection being free from said )nanometer instrumentalities and foldingdownwardly relatively thereto and to the main cover section in theupright position of the latter to constitute a prop to prevent tiltingover of the manometer.

f2. A manometer of the kind described comprising a casing having a body,a nrain cover section hinged to said body and movable to an uprightposition relatively thereto, manometer instrumentalities mounted uponsaid main cover section and movable therewith to an upright position andan auxiliary cover section hinged to said main cover section and formingtherewith the complete cover for the casing body, said auxiliary coversection being of greater major length than the main cover section andfolding downwardly relatively to the latter in the upright position ofsaid main cover section into close proximity to the surface on which theinstrument is resting and thereby forming a prop to prevent tilting overof said instrument.

3. A manometer of the kind described comprising a casing having a body,a main cover section hinged to said body and movable to an uprightposition relatively thereto, a block fixed upon said main cover seetionand provided with a recess, a fluid reservoir fitted in the recess ofsaid block, aY scale carried by .said block, a tube mounted in operativerelation to said scale in Iixed relatzon to said block, said tube beingconnected with said reservoir, an inlet nozzle carried by said block andcommunicating with said reservoir for the admission thereto of apressure creating medium and an auxiliary cover section hinged to saidmain cover section and forming therewith the complete cover for saidbody, said auxiliary cover section being of greater major length thanthe main cover section and folding downwardly relatively to the latterin the upright position of said main cover section into close proximityto the surface on which the instrument is resting and thereby forming aprop to prevent tilting over of said instrument.

4. In a manometer of the kind described, the combination of a. easinghaving a body, a main cover section hinged to said body and movable toan upright position relatively thereto, a fluid reservoir mounted uponsaid main cover section near the hinged end thereof, a scale plate tixedupon said chamber and projecting therefrom, a Huid-column tube connectedwith said chamber and extendingr lengthwise of said scale plate, thelatter and said tube heilig movable, with said main cover section to anupright position, an inlet for admitting a pressure creating medium tosaid chamber to cause the iuid column to rise in said tube, and anauxiliary cover section hinged to the main cover section and of greatermajor length than the latter, said auxiliary cover section-beingfoldable backward over the same into surface contact therewith toconstitute a prop in the upright position of the main cover section andits associated elements whereby tilting over of the instrument isresisted, said cover sections together constituting a complete cover forthe casing body.

In a manometer of the kind described, the combination of a casing havinga body, a member hinged thereto and movable to an upright positionrelatively to said body, a fluid reservoir mounted upon said member, afluid-column tube connected with said reservoir and movable with saidmember, to an upright position and lying within the casing body in thenormal position of the member, an inlet for admitting a. pressurecreating medium into said reservoir and a resilient cushion extendinglengthwise of retenes said easing in registry and engagement with saidtube throughout the major portion of its length when the tube is in saidcasing.

6. ln a manometer of the kind described, the combination of a casinghaving a body, a cover hinged thereto and movable to an upright positionrelatively to said body, a luid reservoir mounted upon said cover, nearthe hinged end thereof, a scale member movable with said reservoir andcover, a tube connected with, said reservoir and eX- tending lengthwiseof said scale member, the latter and said tube being movable, with saidcover, to an upright position, said scale mem.

ber and tube lying within said casing body in the 'closed position oitsaid cover, an inlet tor admitting a. pressure creating medium to saidreservoir, and a pair of spaced parallel ribs extending lengthwise ofthe bottom of said casing body and engaging said scale member throughoutthe major portion ot its length to provide rests for said scale memberin the closed position of the cover, said tube lying in the spacebetween said ribs when said cover is closed'.

7. lin a manometer of the kind described, the combination ot a casinghaving a body, a cover hinged thereto and movable to an upright positionrelatively to said body, a iiuid reservoir mounted upon said cover, nearthe hinged end thereof, a scale member movable with said reservoir andcover, a tube connected with said reserv-oir and extending lengthwise otsaid scale member, the latter and said tube being movable, with saidcover, to an upright position, said scale member and tube lying withinsaid casing body in the closed position of said cover, an inlet -foradmitting a pressure creating medium te said reservoir, a. pair ofspaced parallel ribs extending lengthwise ot said casing body andengaging said scale member throughout the major portion oit its lengthto provide rests tor said scale member in the closed. position ot thecover, and a resilient member extending lengthwise of said casing bodybetween said ribs and providing a yielding cushion in surface engagementwith said tube when said cover is closed.

8. lin a manometer of the kind described, a Fluid reservoir tor mercuryand the like, a tube connected with said reservoir, an inletnozzleconnected with said reservoir for admitting a pressure creating mediumthereto whereby said mercury or the like is torced lengthwise ot saidtube in the form ot an indicating column, a scale in operative relationto .said column, a disk of animal skin at the outer' end of said tubetor preventing the spilling ot mercury without arresting the escape ofair therefrom, a :toranr inous disk in surface engagement with said diskof skin and an apertured cap connected with said tube :tor ain'g saiddisks in place 9. In a manometer of the kind described, a fluidreservoir for mercury and the like, a tube connected with saidreservoir, an inlet nozzle connected with said reservoir for admitting apressure creating medium thereto whereby said mercury or the like isforced lengthwise of said tube in the form of an indicating column, ascale in operative relation to said column, a disk of animal skin at theouter end of said tube for preventing the spilling of mercury withoutarresting the escape of air therefrom, a foraminous disk in surfaceengagement with the outer surface of said disk of skin, a cork washer insurface engagement with the inner surface thereof and an apertured capconnected with said tube for clampingsaid disks and washer in placethereon.

l0. lin a nianometer of the kind described, a casing comprising a body,a cover hinged thereto, a block iixed upon said cover and provided witha recess, a fluid reservoir titted in the recess ot' said block, a scalemen1- ber mounted upon said block and provided with longitudinal groovesand with a fixed shoulder at the inner ends thereof, a tube extendinglengthwise of said scale member and combined therewith in iiiledrelation to said shoulder, and a scale plate slidably mounted in saidgrooves and having its one end in engagement with said shoulder wherebysaid scale plate is automatically positioned in proper operativerelation to said tube.

ll. ln a manometer ofthe kind described, a casing comprising a body, amain cover section hinged thereto, and movable to an upright position onsaid body, an auxiliary cover section hinged to said main cover sectionand foldable backward upon the same to constitute a prop for theinstrument in the upright position oit said main cover section, a blockbred upon said main cover section and provided with a recess, a scalemember mounted upon said block and provided with longitudinal groovesand with a fixed shoulder at the inner ends thereof, a tube extendinglengthwise ot said scale member and combined therewith in fixed relationto said shoulder, and a scale plate slidably mounted in said grooves andhaving its one .end in engagement with said shoulder whereby said scaleplate is automatically positioned in proper operative reu lation to saidtube.

l2. ln a manometer of the kind described, the combination ot anelongated casing having a body, a main cover section hinged to one endot said body, manometer instrumeir talities mounted upon said main coversection and movable therewith, an auxiliary cover section hinged to saidmain cover section and. forming therewith the complete cover :tor thecasing body, a latch securing said cover in cles-ed position, said coversec Mtl tions having abutting end edges at their hinged connection, andspring-pressed plungers mounted in the abutting end edge ot' one of saidcover sections and engaging the abutting end edge of the other coversection whereby said plungers are placed under tension when the completecover is closed and the auxiliary cover section is automatically thrownto a partly open position when said latch is released.

13. In a manoineter of the kind described, the combination of a easinghaving a body, a cover section hinged to said body, a reservoir formercury or the like carried by said cover section, said reservoir beingformed of enameled metal, a transparent tube, means connected with saidreservoir for admitting a pressure-creating medium thereto whereby saidmercury or the like is forced length- Wise of said tube in the form ofan indicating column, and a Scale in operative relation to said column.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

FAIRLEIGH S. DICKINSON. ANDREW W. FLEISCHER.

